Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-07-09
THE GETTYSBURG REUNION.

War is shorn of some of its hor-
rors when followed by such events
as the reunion of the Pennsylyan-
| ians and the survivors of Pickett's
division in Gettysburg.
The battle which ragged around
that town IN July 1868 was the cul-
mination of the great struggle be-
tween the North aud the South.
Prior to that contest. in spite of
some signal defeats, the arms OF the
South had been generally successful
but the North, suddenly aroused to
the magnitude of the issue by the
invasion of her territory, mustered
a fair measure of her strength on
that field, and after q most desper-
ate conflict the advance OF the
Southern army was arrested Tor
ever.
The stubborn and successful re-
sistance of the Pennsylvania troops
to the impetuous charges OF Pick
ett's division, like Wellington's
Guards at Waterloo, turned the tide
Of battle, and the star OF the Con-
federacy gradually, but surely, wan
ed to its setting. No more dramat-
ic or magnifienct spectacle has oc-
Cured in the history of war. Gen.
Lee, in his official report of the bat.
tie, said his men had done so many
splendid things that he required OF
them impossibilities. If this DO true
what must be said of those who
oyercame such soldiers, and what
more glorious evidence can be given
of their heroism than their reception
Of their former opponents upon that
field where blood was poured out
like water, and where each survivor
must have lost some c0mrade whose
life had become intertwined with
bis own by mutual dangers and
hardships.
Two lessons are to be drawn from the
reunion. One Is, that true soldier
cherishes no personal enmities. His
bitterness OF feeling is to the cause
against which he fights, and not the
individuals who represent it. When
the cause collapses the war is over for
him, and he is ready to take his
misguided or unfortunate brother by
the hand and see in him the reflex
of virtues with which his own bosom
swells, while his opponent, if made
of the right stuff, will meet him half
way, and cordially second his efforts
at reconciliation. Another lesson
is, that good and brave men, both
North and South, no matter how
hard they may have fought against
each other in war, should stand
shoulder to shoulder in time Of peace,
if we would work out the destiny OF
q common country. War is an ex'
cellent test of character. The heroes
whom it creates are apt to be the
best citizens in all the avenues OF
life, and to them and their descend
ants, both North and South, the
country must look in future for safe
ty and progress. There is nolonger
room or reason for sectl0nalisn.
Those questions which once threat.
ened division are laid to rest. We
are confronted by dangers of differ
emit nature, which only united ac-
ton can remove. There are serious
economical problems to be solved,
and there are insidious enemis Turk
ing in our midst, intent upon dos-
troying the glorious privileges which
they riot in, but do not appreciate.
Brave men are always conservative,
and they are needed both North and
South to make head against these
vampires. Only by working in
unison can they effectually protect
society.--AmericGa.